Comments on: Preach on, Chaplain

By: Anthony

Anthony — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 14:02:14 +0000

What M Lewis said about the way the Army does the memorials makes a lot of sense. There are not enough details in the article to really understand the circumstances (typical of the news media). If this was an “official” memorial open to all and required for some, the service should be non-demoninational. I’m sure the Jewish members of a crew would be very insulted and hurt to hear at a shipboard memorial for one of their buddies that they cannot expect to get to heaven because they are not Christian. While they might expect to hear these things at a service of a breakway evangelical Episcopal denomination, hearing it at an official shipboard memorial is an entirely different thing.

The thing about religious freedom is that everyone can worship the way they want to, but no one should be forced to worship in any given way.

By: Cpl M

Cpl M — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 16:25:17 +0000

Thanks for the knowledge, M Lewis. It is a bit confusing but this like this usually are to begin with.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 14:08:26 +0000

Freedoms are just flying out the door these days! I know that they can have a Catholic or a Baptist one for a fact. Don’t see the reason for all this mess.

By: M Lewis

M Lewis — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:59:53 +0000

CPL M –

I don’t know how they do it in the Navy aboard ship, and I won’t comment on the particulars of this particular case or the people, parties and politics involved.

In the Army, we distinquish between a memorial ceremony – which has a military purpose, is of a patriotic character and belongs to the commander- and a memorial service – which is a religious service performed according to the religious requirements of the performing chaplain.

Generally, units conduct memorial ceremonies. Attendance is mandatory for at least some of the participants. The chaplain’s role is limited and should be consistent with the official governmental character of the event.

Chapel congregations in which the deceased participated are the natural venue for memorial services. Here, the chaplain is functioning as the leader of the worshipping congregation. Whatever is appropriate for the worshipping community is appopriate for the service. If unit members attend, attendance is strictly voluntary.

Unit chaplains don’t generally conduct memorial services simply to meet their own needs or desires. Soldiers who primarily participate in off-post churches probably do not need an on-post memorial service. The unit probably does need to conduct a memorial ceremony.

Confusing or trying to blend these two separate events leads to all sorts of problems.

Blessings …

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 02:28:11 +0000

Cpl M,
What a shame! What happened to freedom of religion?!